June 7, 2017
Episode 396
(taped May 25, 2107)
#WWENXT
City: Winter Park, FL
Venue: Full Sail University
Commentary: Tom Phillips, Percy Watson, Nigel McGuinness
Ring Announcer: Mike Rome
Video
Tonight, No Way Jose will face Killian Dain and Hideo Itami will take on Oney Lorcan.
Intro Video
“Rage” by CFO$
Match 1
Victor Andrews & Lars Sullivan vs Heavy Machinery
(referee: Tom Castor)
Result: Otis Dozovic pins Victor Andrews after The Compacter
Time: 3:56
Match Thoughts
Kind of a squash. Sullivan was doing fine against Heavy Machinery, but once Sullivan got tagged in he got pretty much destroyed.
Ring Area
Sullivan isn’t happy after the match. He slowly gets into the ring and attacks Andrews with strikes and slams.
Backstage
From last week, Christy St. Cloud asks SAnitY about the return of No Way Jose. Killian Dain says “no one is safe.”
Ring Area
Roderick Strong makes his way to the ring. He thanks the fans for accepting him after he opened up. He’s thankful for his life right now, but he still wants something. He wants the NXT Championship.
Bobby Roode comes out to the stage and pretends to cry. He tells Strong that he should be proud of what he’s done, but you have to earn a title opportunity in Bobby Roode’s NXT. He tells Strong he should just be happy where he is and “stay in his lane.” He says Strong isn’t man enough to beat Bobby Roode.
Backstage
Nikki Cross wants to play with Asuka and Ruby Riot.
Video
Paul Ellering narrates with wins of the Authors of Pain.
Match 2
Sarah Logan vs Peyton Royce w/ Billie Kay
(referee: Eddie Orengo)
Result: Peyton Royce wins via pinfall with a bridging fisherman suplex
Time: 3:43
Match Thoughts
This wasn’t bad. Logan didn’t have a lot of offense, but she managed to make Peyton Royce work a little for her victory. This was little more than an exhibition for Royce though.
Outside the Venue
From last week, after his loss to Cesar Bononi, Andrade Almas prepares to go out to party. Christy St. Cloud attempts to get a word with him, but Almas ignores her. As Almas is heading out with some ladies, Thea Trinidad confronts Almas and slaps him in the face.
Backstage
Christy St. Cloud asks Itami about his plans. Itami says he’s not done in NXT yet.
Match 3
Hideo Itami vs Oney Lorcan
(referee: Drake Wuertz)
Result: the match ends in a No Contest after Itami hits multiple GTS’s and refuses to go for a pin
Time: 6:38
Match Thoughts
This was pretty good. It was more about story lines than anything else though. It started with Itami being dominant, then Lorcan had a flurry of offense including strong strikes and a dive from the top to the floor. Itami responded with strong strikes of his own and hit Lorcan repeatedly with big moves. Itami kept punishing Lorcan until Kassius Ohno ran out to the ring to reason with Itami, prompting Itami to leave the ring.
Video
A promo for Drew McIntyre and his return to WWE.
Backstage
Christy St. Cloud asks Ember Moon about next week’s title match. Moon will be watching the match, but she also has to deal with Royce and Kay.
Match 4
No Way Jose vs Killian Dain w/ Eric Young, Alexander Wolfe
(referee: Darryl Sharma)
Result: Killian Dain wins via pinfall with the Ulster Plantation
Time: 7:04 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
This was pretty good. It was almost completely one-sided though. There were some impressive displays of strength, but this really just felt like an exhibition for Dain. For being a grudge match, I feel like Jose might have gotten more offense, though maybe they’re building to something later on.
Show Impressions
This show was okay, but it was kind of forgettable. Nothing really stood out as important, and the matches all felt like they belonged on the undercard of a bigger show.
Match of the Night
No Way Jose vs Killian Dain
I wasn’t super impressed with the match, but it felt like it was the most complete bout of the night.